The Cartel

Chapter III

Andrew Yampa was given orders to go undercover. He was provided with a new identity. His "job" would be to work as one of the top researchers at The Cartel.

Somehow the CIA had noticed Carly. They hinted they'd found out she was the ex-ASIS and also the former partner of Kayla Rax. Though he was questioned about her, for now all Yampa would tell them is that she was a lovely woman he'd met during the second flight who was on vacation. So, the agent was let off with a warning...for now. They made it clear that they wouldn't be responsible for her death.

The one who had called to inform Yampa was an old friend. He gave the undercover agent a few other warnings, but nothing Yampa didn't already know. He knew how much trouble bringing Carly into the case would bring, but he also knew Yampa was already too deep to back out, especially for some woman.

Even the CIA director, Addison Siege, could threaten the agent's job, but Yampa knew that even if he was to lose his job for bringing Carly along (which was a strong possibility considering how deeply he'd severed protocol), she wouldn't dare to give an order that would jeopardize the mission. There was too much at risk now for the CIA to tear him from the case. It had become the ultimate mission. 

Still, even with everything at risk for himself, Yampa wouldn't risk all those lives of the ones ruined by The Cartel. Let him lose his job as a CIA agent. Before he was even assigned this mission, whenever his friends teased him for "acting like some rogue," he would reply: "You know, Detective Andrew Yampa has a nice ring to it." 

He had created a new identity for Carly. She would be Andrew's lovely secretary, of course. No other job description would fit her, according to Yampa. He would have it no other way. Of course, that is not what he told Carly.

"Here," he told her, handing Carly a forged tag with a fake I.D. while they waited for the helicopter that would take them to the private island. "Welcome to The Cartel, Miss Sinjin." He winked, but she only raised a somewhat disapproving eyebrow.

"Thanks," she muttered, taking the name tag from him.

She hoped that he was better than most-like he had been once upon a time-and that if anything was to ever go wrong, Yampa would be able to securely fix it. As soon as the though tof being re-captured crossed her mind, she pushed them away. Now was not the time to get teary eyed. The only thing she could do now was trust Yampa.

Suddenly, Yampa's hand darted out and grasped Carly's wrist as she pulled her hand away to put the ID tag into her purse. He stared down at her intently with his grayish-blue eyes. She adverted his gaze, and to her relief, his phone rang. Yampa released her to answer the phone, so Carly turned away while putting the tag into her purse. 

The call was, of course, made to relay more information to the agent from the CIA. Another agent would be joining and helping the cause. Yampa smiled from ear-to-ear at the name. Agent Penelope Anwir. She, too, was given a fake identity.

Yampa was forced to cut the call short when the sound of the helicopter crossed their ears.

* * *

After their arrival, Yampa, Carly, and their luggage were searched. Then, they were given keys to the island's main mode of transportation: golf carts. They quickly loaded their luggage and asked for directions before driving off to the five star hotel-styled apartment complex.

Carly and Yampa received their own apartments, something that came with working for The Cartel. Yampa wished more jobs gave out free apartments. He also knew how many problems that would create, though.

It's always nice to dream, but some dreams are better left at just that: dreams, Yampa thought as he reached his own apartment. He put his bags down to open the door.